How to Keep Raccoons out of Sweet Corn

Raccoons enjoy feasting on sweet corn and will quickly ruin your entire crop.

Raccoons have contributed to the demise of many a sweet corn garden. They just can't help themselves when it comes to the delicious treat. Raccoons can smell the corn's aroma from its tassels, which tells them the corn is ready for the picking. Once these night bandits have had a taste of your crop, keeping them away is difficult. You must deter them or prevent them from being able to access your garden or they will likely ruin your entire corn crop.

Things You'll Need

• Pumpkin, bean pole or winter squash
• Portable radio
• Motion-activated sprinklers
• Electric fence
• Metal or wood posts
• Rope
• Heavy fabric

Instructions

1. Plant pumpkins, bean pole or winter squash between the rows of corn. Some raccoons detest the way these vines feel on their feet and will avoid walking on them. Planting the crop so close to your corn will cause the raccoon to have to tread on the uncomfortable vegetation. Once the raccoon realize they have to touch the plants to access the corn, they may not come back.

2. Place a portable radio in your corn field and play it all night. The noise may keep the raccoons away.

3. Place motion-activated sprinklers around the corn garden. When the sprinklers detect the raccoons, they will give off a burst of water, scaring the raccoons and possibly preventing their return.

4. Erect an electric fence around the corn. Once the raccoons touch the fencing and receive shocks, they will likely not return for more. Use two or three wire fencing. Place one wire 2 inches above the ground outside the garden and another wire 2 or 3 inches above the ground inside the garden. If necessary, place a third wire inside the garden, higher than the existing two. The raccoons will likely come in contact with at least two of the wires upon attempted entry, which should be enough to prevent them from coming back.

5. Place cloth around the garden to prevent the raccoons from seeing the corn. Install wood or metal posts around your garden that are taller than the corn. Space them about 8 to 10 feet apart. Tie rope to the poles to create lines to hang the material over. Use heavy muslin or other cloth that is at least 4 feet wide and fold them over the lines. Place cement, boards or bricks on the material that touches the ground to keep the raccoons from sneaking under.

Tips & Warnings

• Motion-activated sprinklers and electric fences are found at most home and garden stores.

References

• National Gardening Assocation: Corn Disease, Insects and Pests
• Michigan State Univeristy Extension: Repelling Raccoons